In a surprising development, Google has launched an alternate reality game, and that too on the Android. Surprising because, one does not really associate Google as a game development company. But Google has just gone and launched Ingress as a free mobile app. Ingress is in closed beta right now, though you can request an invite at the website which is enticing enough. If you have the invite, the Google Play Store is just a step away for you to download the free Android app.

The Ingress app is like a ‘gateway’ or a portal into an alternate reality universe. But in a radical departure from other MMO games, the gameplay here is also connected to the real world where you have to physically move yourself around to collect objects and team-up with other players.

But begin by choosing between one of two sides – the Enlightened and the Resistance. The arch nemesis (depending on the side you choose) is a mysterious all-powerful entity. The Enlightened want to embrace this power, while the Resistance want to preserve humanity the way it is. Both sides have to move through the real world to collect objects and form alliances with other players and win the ultimate goal.

The game story will constantly evolve as players ‘team up’ around the world and dictate the progress of the game on a global map. What’s interesting is that thanks to the commonality of the free Android app, the game could create communities as alliances across neighborhoods, cities, and countries will be needed to achieve the ultimate victory.

Sounds like a great idea. I wonder how much fun it would be if the only thing I see for days on end is cattle, dogs, chickens and trees. My Border Collie is pretty smart. I could get her signed up so we could team up. Ya but she would probably join the Enlightened. She is a bit of a follower. ;~)

I'm blown away with expectations. This is the sort of game I waited for, sort of like 'The World' in dotHack games. Google is the perfect company to handle virtual/reality mesh concept, with their unlimited data. Anyone play this and can write a review?

It's in closed beta right now. Though, one can sign-up and request an invite. Once it opens up to the public, someone from us will definitely write a review. It is something one should try out for a period of time.

Win-win. Looks like it's going to be a fun free game and Google get the public to traipse all over cities plotting their routes, taking photos etc. which will presumably be fed back into their map of the world.

So we get to play a game, and they get to give us better maps. Seems like a decent trade-off. Just remember that in this day and age if you're not paying for something it's because you're the product, not the customer.

Yeah that was obvious and many including myself have taken that route long before this article was written... Applying for a code and actually being given one is two different things. There communities that have 50 or more codes to give away. I was hoping someone had some..

this is pretty cool, and I think that google has the best shot at pioneering this type of mmog. the concept of combining virtual and physical worlds has always been difficult to wrap ones mind around...

Saikat is a techno-adventurer in a writer's garb. When he is not scouring the net for tech news, you can catch him looking for life hacks and learning tidbits. You can find him on LinkedIn & Twitter watching over the world.